Even though the holidays are quickly approaching, government-mandated
social distancing and capacity restrictions are still in place. Making your
holiday plans has never been harder, but with many people choosing not to
travel on airplanes, it is the perfect time for family road trips. Road trips
not only limit your interaction with strangers, but they are an excellent way
to get to explore places that you wouldn't be able to see if you fly somewhere.
Although road trips are quite safe, there are still precautions that you must
be aware of whenever you plan a long trip. Coverage.com
has some pointers for taking a holiday road trip that is both safe and fun.
Think before you go.
Anyone who travels knows that all good trips require at
least a bit of planning. Be sure to check the COVID-19 guidelines for any
places that you might be planning to travel to.
Where are you heading?
Everyone knows that the journey is more important than the
destination, but it is important to have a destination in mind. While beaches
are the highlight of many people's holiday trips, it's important to look at
which ones are even open. Staying in the mountains is also the Christmas dream
of many, especially somewhere with lots of snow.
Picking a destination also comes with different important
considerations, like what kind of things you'd like to do while you're there,
the weather around the holidays, and even what the infection rate is in that
particular city. No one wants to go somewhere with tons of new cases every day,
or to go to places that could be potential hot spots for crowds. In more fun
terms, though, it is important to pick what you'd like to see on your way to
your destination. Are you more interested in scenic routes, or do you want a
route that will take you through big cities? How much time do you want to spend
driving? Scenic drives always make for better stories, but if there is a time
frame you have to make it to your destination in, maybe limit the number of
scenic turnoffs.
Finding good places to stop and rest is one of the
highlights of many road trips, whether it be camping or staying in hotels. Not
only is your comfort, the amenities, and a lack of bedbugs important, but how
is the venue you're staying at handling safe cleaning practices? Camping allows
you to have an area to yourself outside, making it a more favorable option, but
in case you prefer the indoors, be sure to bring plenty of cleaning supplies. Some
hotels and Airbnbs are open now, but it is just as important to sanitize them
again when you get there, for added safety. Reading all the guidelines and new
protocols for these venues is an important step in staying safe.
Do you have a plan for this?
In any situation, you should always expect the unexpected.
While having a contingency plan for every possible outcome, it is important to
be able to relax and deal with things in the moment. Now, more than ever, we
are dealing with unprecedented circumstances, so make sure you are open to
adapting your plans if you must. Sometimes, the most unexpected routes can be
the most fun.
Something you should plan for ahead of time, however, is
roadside assistance. No one likes being stranded in the middle of nowhere in
the middle of the night if you have a flat or hit something. It's important to
check with your insurance provider before traveling to make sure that you are
covered if there is a wreck, your car is stolen, or even if you just need some
help while you're on the road.
Who's bringing snacks?
Have a checklist or at least some organization system to
help you keep track of what you bring with you on your trips. Not only is it
important to have things like your car registration, proof of insurance, and
even your AAA contact information, but it is important to have things like a
car jack and jumper cables.
Portable phone chargers are a necessity in just about any
venture nowadays, but if you find yourself in a car with only one outlet and
four phones to charge, these chargers come in handy. They also help if you get
stranded and the battery in your car is dead or if you can't turn the car on
for charging purposes.
For many, the snacks are the most important part of any road
trip. Junk food and other fast-food spots are the snacks of choice, but gas
station stops might not be the safest option for mid-trip food runs. Limiting
your trips inside the convenience stores can reduce your exposure to germs and
help you save some money for those important after-midnight fast-food stops.
There are many new necessities that we must carry with us, including
masks and hand sanitizer, but it is a good idea to pack disposable gloves,
disinfecting wipes, and even hand soap to limit the chances of germs spreading.
Not only is soap and a water bottle a good idea for washing your hands without
needing a rest stop, but it is also handy for cheese-stained fingers.
Above all, just stay safe and have fun.
As much fun as road trips are, it's important to be safe, no
matter where you are. Be sure that you follow all the current safety
precautions laid out by the CDC to keep everyone around you safe.
Pay attention to mask mandates in the cities and states that you are traveling
to and how the places that you're visiting are handling the crisis. Use hand
sanitizer or wash your hands after touching gas station pumps, credit card
keypads, and bathroom handles, and even wipe things off with sanitizing wipes
before touching them.
You're most likely not going to have the ability or desire
to cook on the road, so if you go to restaurants, consider curbside pickup or
have it delivered to your hotel. If you'd prefer to eat out, check for patio
seating and restaurants that are practicing strict social-distancing
guidelines.
Even though things are hard right now, they won't always be
like this. Road trips are a great way to connect with your family and spend
quality time together. Be sure to schedule some alone time during the trip
because no one enjoys sitting in a car together constantly for three days. It
should be a fun experience!
